Gears are necessary components for machines as small as your pocket watch and as big as the International Space Station. But when you’re considering the type of gear for your machine, or if you’re wondering how to budget for gear manufacturing for repairs and replacements, you may need to understand the life expectancy of a gear. Gears aren’t flawless and aren’t immune to the decay of time, but there are a handful of factors that could accelerate or decelerate their aging process.
Gear Type and Application
First, the type of gear and the application it’s used for will have a massive bearing on the gear’s lifespan. Spur gears, for example, have fewer connection points than their helical counterparts, and will suffer more wear and tear over time. Certain gear applications are also under more pressure, or are exposed to more friction, so will wear out gears faster than in an application with lower demand.
Materials
The type of material used will also have an effect on the gear’s lifespan. Today, gears can be made of one or more of several materials, including cast iron, steel, brass, bronze, and plastic. Some, like plastic, are malleable and less resistant to intense pressure. Others, like steel, are far more durable.
Engineering
Of course, the design and production of the gear will also enter into the equation. If a gear is reverse engineered from an existing template, but isn’t designed carefully, it may not fit into the machine exactly, which could cause premature gear failure. The precision of the equipment and experience of the gear manufacturing professionals handling the order may also affect the precision of the gear.
It’s hard to give one summary answer when there are so many variables that could influence the lifespan of a gear. However, with the right manufacturer and the right materials, a gear could conceivably last for decades, or even centuries. Contact Federal Gear today to get a quote for your next gear manufacturing project.